Vancouver, BC — To help children and teenagers in Haiti rebuild after the devastating earthquake there on January 12, a $300,000 CAD donation has been made to UNICEF to commemorate the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Truce and to serve as a lasting legacy of Canada’s Games.

The donation, announced today, will provide an opportunity for the children of Haiti to once again play in good health and freedom. The donation is made possible by the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC), as well as explore.org and the Annenberg Foundation, l’Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) and Teck Resources, an Official Supporter of the 2010 Winter Games and the metals supplier for the Vancouver 2010 medals.

“When a tragic situation occurs, such as the earthquake in Haiti, it is incumbent on all of us to come together as global citizens to assist,” said VANOC CEO John Furlong. “Sport has the power to unite and heal, especially among children, which is why we’re working with our partners through UNICEF. We encourage everyone in the world who watched the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games to continue to support Haiti as it works to rebuild.”

Under the auspices of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Truce, the $300,000.00 donation has been sent to UNICEF, the lead international organization responsible for relief and assistance to youth in Haiti. Over the past few weeks, various organizations have collectively pooled their funding to create a greater overall contribution, including: the Annenberg Foundation ($50,000) through the multimedia organization explore.org; Teck Resources and its employees ($156,000); l’Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) ($45,000); and VANOC (approximately $54,000).

VANOC’s contribution was raised in part by workforce members and the public at events such as the Olympic Torch Relay celebration in Vancouver and the opening night of the Vancouver 2010 Cultural Olympiad, as well as from the corporate Vancouver2010 Olympic truce budget. Other sponsors have also made separate, considerable donations towards relief efforts in Haiti.

“In the spirit of the Olympic Games, which embraces camaraderie and teamwork, Teck Resources is pleased to be able to provide assistance to the people of Haiti so that they may rebuild their country and create a better tomorrow,” said Don Lindsay, CEO of Teck Resources.

Charles Annenberg Weingarten, explore.org founder and vice president and director of the Annenberg Foundation, added: “In line with explore.org’s philanthropic mission to provide grant funding to exceptional organizations, a $50,000 grant was pledged to UNICEF in support of the Olympic Truce and Haitian relief efforts. Explore.org shares the values of inclusion, tolerance and respect, using film and photography from around the world to highlight and inspire the selfless acts of others.”

“The OIF would like to demonstrate a solidarity with Haïti and its youth,” said Audrey Delacroix, spokesperson for the OIF. “In addition to this financial contribution, the OIF will be also be at the disposal of the Haïtian authorities should they wish to use our expertise in any way.”

The OIF was represented in Vancouver during the 2010 Olympic Winter Games by Pascal Couchepin, Grand Témoin de la Francophonie. Couchepin was tasked in 2009 by Abdou Diouf, Secretary General of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF), with supporting VANOC’s efforts to ensure bilingual Games in Vancouver and Whistler.

The Vancouver 2010 Olympic Truce legacy donation is in addition to a commitment made by International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Jacques Rogge on the eve of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games that the Olympic Movement would be supporting reconstruction of sport facilities for Haitian youth.

About the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Truce
The philosophy of the Olympic Truce is simple: sport can inspire peace. In 2010, athletes will set aside their political, religious and social differences and compete on a level playing field in the pursuit of excellence. Their sportsmanship and behaviour are examples of how countries and individuals can find constructive ways to uphold the values of respect and friendship.

The 2010 Winter Games mark the first time Canada has been responsible for leading Olympic Truce efforts since the ancient tradition, dating back to 776 BC in Greece, was revitalized in 1992. Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, is patron of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Truce. For more information, visit www.olympictruce.org.

About Teck Resources Limited
Teck is a diversified resource company committed to responsible mining and mineral development with major business units focused on copper, metallurgical coal, zinc and energy. Headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, its shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbols TCK.A and TCK.B and the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol TCK. Further information about Teck can be found at www.teck.com/vancouver2010.

About explore.org
Explore.org is a multimedia organization that documents leaders around the world who have devoted their lives to extraordinary causes. Both educational and inspirational, explore.org creates a portal into the soul of humanity by championing the selfless acts of others. Founded on the principles of the film style cinema vérité, explore.org anchors its content in unbiased realism. www.explore.org  

About l’Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF)
L’Organisation internationale de la Francophonie, created in 1970, represents one of the biggest linguistic zones in the world. Its members share more than just a common language. They also share the humanist values promoted by the French language. The French language and its humanist values represent the two cornerstones on which l’Organisation internationale de la Francophonie is based. Its mission is to embody the active solidarity between its 70 member states and governments. For more information, visit www.francophonie.org.

About VANOC
VANOC is responsible for the planning, organizing, financing and staging of the XXI Olympic Winter Games and the Paralympic Winter Games in 2010. The 2010 Olympic Winter Games were staged in Vancouver and Whistler from February 12 to 28, 2010. Vancouver and Whistler will host the Paralympic Winter Games from March 12 to 21, 2010. Visit www.vancouver2010.com.

Media Contacts:

VANOC Communications
Tel: 604.403.1611
E-mail: mediarelations@vancouver2010.com

explore.org
Liz Marks
liz@explore.org
310.209.4577

Teck
Kate Best
Tel: 604.862.2280
E-mail: kbest@national.ca

Organisation internationale de la Francophonie
Anissa Barrak, head of communications
anissa.barrak@francophonie.org
Nathalie Heneman, officer in charge of media relations
Tel. (+33) 1 44 37 32 52 nathalie.heneman@francophonie.org

Vancouver, BC – With the 2010 Olympic Winter Games over and the Paralympic Games set to start on March 12,  fans and enthusiasts  can now experience the Games through a number of official licensed books offered by the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC).  These books are already available for purchase or pre-order at vancouver2010.com or on their local bookstore shelves.

The latest book to hit store shelves this week is A Path of Northern Lights: The Story of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay. This beautiful, full-colour book tells the story of the Olympic Torch Relay and its 106-day, 45,000-kilometre journey from coast to coast to coast across Canada.  Filled with emotional stories, behind-the-scenes details and stunning imagery and a complete list of all 12,000 torchbearers,
this is a book that both Games and torch relay aficionados alike will want to have in their collection.

Also part of the family of Games-related books is O Siyam: Aboriginal Art Inspired by the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. This unique coffee-table art book, a first in Games history, showcases the stunning artwork by First Nations, Métis and Inuit artists showcased at Vancouver 2010 venues. The range of art covered by the book is extensive, and includes sculpture, painting, beadwork, tapestry, carving, and masks by more than 100 Aboriginal artists. Published in November 2009, O Siyam not only offers  imagery of the art, but  also captures the artists at work during the creative process and includes an introductory piece by feature essayist Gerald McMaster, an artist, author, educator and curator of Canadian art at the Art Gallery of Ontario.

The final book to hit store shelves following the Paralympic Games ? and undoubtedly the jewel in any Games enthusiast’s collection ? is With Glowing Hearts/Des plus brilliants exploits: The Official Commemorative Book of the XXI Olympic Winter Games and the X Paralympic Winter Games. To be published in late May, but currently available for pre-order through vancouver2010.com, With Glowing Hearts/des plus brilliants exploits is the only official book commemorating the spirit, passion and beauty of the 2010 Winter Games. It will feature hundreds of pages of  original imagery capturing the grace and skill of the athletes, the spectacular Opening, Closing and Victory Ceremonies and a unique, behind-the-scene insider’s view of the journey to 2010. 

John Wiley & Sons Canada Ltd. Is the publisher of all three licensed books.

About VANOC
VANOC is responsible for the planning, organizing, financing and staging of the XXI Olympic Winter Games and the X Paralympic Winter Games in 2010. The 2010 Olympic Winter Games will be staged in Vancouver and Whistler from February 12 to 28, 2010

About John Wiley & Sons Canada Ltd.
Founded in 1807, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. has been a valued source of information and understanding for 200 years, helping people around the world meet their needs and fulfill their aspirations. Since 1968, Wiley Canada has been providing must-have content and services to Canadian customers including professionals, students, and consumers. Its core businesses include professional and consumer books on personal finance, business, health, sports, and current affairs, as well as educational materials for undergraduate and graduate students. The company’s web site can be accessed at www.wiley.com. The company is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbols JWa and JWb.

Contact
VANOC Communications
E-mail: mediarelations@vancouver2010.com

Over 3.5 million pairs of Red Mittens purchased in support of Canadian winter athletes

Vancouver, BC ? The Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) today thanked Canadians and all fans who showed their support for the Canadian athletes and the 2010 Games by purchasing a pair of Red Mittens. Over 3.5 million pairs of mittens were sold during the five-month campaign and the mittens quickly became one of the most enduring and popular items of the pre-Games and Games-time period. The full inventory of Red Mittens has now been sold.

“To everyone who bought a pair of Red Mittens, who waved at a torchbearer in their community, who showed their spirit every day, or who wore them while cheering their team at the venues or while watching on television, we send a heartfelt ‘thank you’,” said John Furlong, VANOC’s Chief Executive Officer. “Red Mittens were more than a souvenir, they became the “it” item to show support for the Games and we’re grateful to everyone who literally wore their hearts on their hands. We also thank our partners, and particularly the Hudson’s Bay Company and CTV, Canada’s Olympic Network, for their strong support of the Red Mittens campaign.”

Since VANOC launched Red Mittens last fall to raise funds to support Canadian athletes at the 2010 Games, Red Mittens have been seen on the hands of a prince, a premier, a prime minister the IOC President and millions of proud Canadians and worldwide visitors. Numerous statues, including the Drumheller dinosaur, the Harry Jerome runner in Stanley Park, the Lion’s Gate Bridge lions and sported Red Mittens. A hit from the beginning, by December 2009, the mittens had reached VANOC’s established goal: one million pairs sold. By the time the Olympic Winter Games ended, on February 28, 2010, more than 3.5 million pairs had been sold. The mittens were made available on www.vancouver2010.com and through Hudson’s Bay Company stores, including Zellers, the Bay and Home Outfitters locations.

Red Mittens were conceived as an affordable, fun and unique way for Canadians and all Games fans to connect with Vancouver 2010 and support Canadian athletes. Demand grew as soon as the Olympic Torch Relay and Olympic torchbearers started, on October 30, to wind their way across the country wearing Red Mittens. As the Christmas holiday season approached, their popularity ? both as a gift item and as practical, fun winter apparel ? grew rapidly. In January/February 2010, demand for Red Mittens peaked as Canadians and international visitors sought out the fun and distinctly Canadian Red Mittens.  

Net proceeds from every pair of Vancouver 2010 Red Mittens sold help complete the funding of the five-year Own the Podium 2010 initiative, which provided Canadian athletes with top Games-related equipment and training. Any additional funds raised through the Red Mittens campaign support a variety of 2010 Winter Games athlete- and sport-based initiatives.

About VANOC
VANOC is responsible for the planning, organizing, financing and staging of the XXI Olympic Winter Games and the X Paralympic Winter Games in 2010. The 2010 Olympic Winter Games will be staged in Vancouver and Whistler from February 12 to 28, 2010. Vancouver and Whistler will host the Paralympic Winter Games from March 12 to 21, 2010. Please visit www.vancouver2010.com for more information.

For more information:
VANOC Communications
Tel: 604.403.1611
E-mail: mediarelations@vancouver2010.com

Vancouver, BC?? The Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) today commended the Government of Canada for committing an additional $17 million annually in funding in support of the Own the Podium program: $11 million for winter athletes and $ 6 million for summer athletes. The funding announcement came as part of the Government of Canada’s release of the federal budget.

“The Prime Minister and Government of Canada have today confirmed that sport counts in Canada – that sport is an important and vibrant part of the fabric of life in our country,” said John Furlong, VANOC’s Chief Executive Officer. “Canadian winter athletes, through their stellar performance at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games and at the upcoming Paralympic Games, are making a significant impact on the country, inspiring national pride and a showing what can be done when confidence is raised to the highest level through strong support. Our summer athletes have tremendous potential as they prepare for the London 2012 Games,” he said.

“As the Own the Podium 2010 program showed, ultimately, it’s about partnership, and corporate Canada played an important and meaningful role, demonstrating that a private /public partnership can not only work, but can win.  We encourage corporate Canada to continue to support these programs and, together with the Government of Canada, to build on the success of Vancouver 2010,” he concluded. 

The Own the Podium 2010 program played a critical role in developing the strongest Canadian Olympic and Paralympic teams ever, as demonstrated by the outstanding performance of Canada’s athletes at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games and what promises to be a best ever performance at the 2010 Paralympic Games.  Canada set a new all-time team high at the 2010 Olympic Games with 26 medals, including 14 gold medals ? the highest number of gold medals Canada has ever won at any Games, and the most gold medals ever won by any nation at an Olympic Winter Games. The program is a partnership of Canada’s 13 winter national sport organizations, the Canadian Olympic Committee, the Canadian Paralympic Committee, Sport Canada and the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) .

Approximately half of the funding originated from the Government of Canada, through Sport Canada. VANOC raised the other half through corporate, provincial, territorial, and public support. Bell Canada is the founding corporate partner and other corporate partners include General Motors of Canada, Hudson’s Bay Company, McDonald’s Canada, Petro-Canada, RBC Financial Group and RONA. Provincial and territorial support is provided by the governments of Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Québec, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nunavut, Northwest Territories and the Yukon.

About VANOC
VANOC is responsible for the planning, organizing, financing and staging of the XXI Olympic Winter Games and the Paralympic Winter Games in 2010. The 2010 Olympic Winter Games will be staged in Vancouver and Whistler from February 12 to 28, 2010. Vancouver and Whistler will host the Paralympic Winter Games from March 12 to 21, 2010. Visit www.vancouver2010.com.

Media Contact:
VANOC Communications
Tel: 604.403.1611
E-mail: mediarelations@vancouver2010.com

Vancouver (AFP) – Ecstatic Canadian team chiefs Sunday said their ‘Own the Podium’ programme had been justified, and Jacques Rogge agreed, as the country ended with the most gold medals ever won at an Olympic Winter Games.

The host nation captured their 14th gold when their men’s ice hockey team beat the United States 3-2 in overtime in the Games’ last event.

It put Canada one clear of the previous best golden haul of 13 held by Russia and Norway.

Before the Games, Canada vowed to win the most medals in the controversial, and hugely expensive, programme but later were forced to back down when it became clear the task was beyond them.

The programme sparked debate across the country and beyond, with some saying it was arrogant while others felt it promoted national pride.

But team chiefs on Sunday praised the performance of their athletes who finished third in the total medal count.

“As I said in the opening press conference, we were going to own the podium and we did — the very top of the podium. Our very own Canadian team has reached a new level of excellence,” said Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) president-elect Marcel Aubut

“The Games have produced heroes from all corners of their country. What a tremendous accomplishment.”

International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge agreed that the programme had worked.

“It is paramount for the home team to win to create the sort of atmosphere we have seen,” he said.

“I believe ‘Own the Podium’ is a success. There has been criticism but you can legitimately ask whether there would have been any gold without ‘Own the Podium’.”

COC president Michael Chambers said the Games had been an “unprecedented success,” defending the “Own the Podium” programme as bold and well thought-out.

“Canada’s athletes came to these Games not with a swagger but with a confidence that they could do what they were setting out to do. They believed in themselves.

“I truly believe that what they have done over the course of these past two weeks, they’ve inspired an entire nation to believe in themselves.”

“Canadian athletes have won more medals at this Olympic Winter Games than any Canadian Olympic Winter team has ever won,” he added.

“It is a greater number of gold medals at either a Summer or Winter Games than an Olympic team has ever brought back to Canada or in this case kept in Canada.”

He praised organising committee VANOC for “inspiring a nation” and thanked the national sporting federations for their part in the success.

Canadian chef-de-mission Nathalie Lambert thanked the Canadian team for the “17 best days of my life” and for providing moments that would stay with her forever.

Team chiefs, meanwhile, announced that Joannie Rochette, who won a bronze in figure skating just days after her mother died suddenly, would carry the flag in Sunday’s closing ceremony.

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Vancouver, BC ? After 17 days of thrilling athletic competitions, amazing displays of sportsmanship and magical moments when lifelong dreams were finally realized on the podium, the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games will draw to their official close tonight.

In looking back and celebrating the impact of Canada’s Games and the future of the Olympic Winter Games, the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) would like to share some of the initial statistics available.

By the numbers: The Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games

February 12 to 28, 2010

• 17 days of thrilling competition and athletic accomplishments
• 15 sport disciplines
• 9 competition venues
• 3 Olympic training facilities
• 86 medal competitions
• 86 Victory Ceremonies (16 in-venue medal presentations, 25 at BC Place and 45 at Whistler Medals Plaza)
• 615 medals awarded
• 1,055 athlete bouquets presented
• 82 participating National Olympic Committees (NOCs)
• 6,500 athletes and team officials in total
• 2,632 registered athletes
• 50,000 workforce members for the Games, including paid, contractor and volunteers
• Of that total, 18,500 were volunteers; 6,500 volunteers will also work during the Paralympic Winter Games
• 25,000 workforce uniforms distributed
• 96,409 people accredited for the Games
• 10,800 media representatives: 7,000 rights holding broadcasters, 2,800 press reporters and photographers and non-rights holding broadcasters, as well as 1,000 host Olympic Broadcast Service (OBSV) personnel
• 3.5 billion worldwide television viewers are estimated to have tuned into the Games
• Olympic rights holding broadcasters have offered Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games coverage on more than 300 TV stations and on more than 100 websites worldwide
• 47 per cent more global television coverage of the Games than for the Torino 2006 Olympic Winter Games
• This represents approximately 24,000 hours of coverage
• 50,000 hours of total broadcast hours of the Games across all media platforms around the world
• 6,000 hours of coverage worldwide on mobile platforms
• As of Day 15, 33.1 million Canadians (99 per cent) have watched coverage
• 27.7 million cumulative audience or CUME (meaning 82.7 per cent of Canadians) experienced the Games on February 27 through the platforms of Canada’s Olympic Broadcast Media Consortium.
• 1,500 appearances by the Vancouver 2010 mascots: Quatchi, Miga and Sumi by the end of the Games
• 20,567 deliveries made to Olympic venues
• 1.6 million tickets available for the 2010 Winter Games
• More than 3.3 million pairs of Vancouver 2010 Red Mittens sold
• $500-million target for gross retail sales of Vancouver 2010 branded merchandise met by end of Games
• 2.2 million people engaged to date by the Vancouver 2010 Cultural Oympiad, which will continue for three more weeks
• More than 4,000 artists at 600 events, over 60 days in 60 venues are taking part in the Cultural Olympiad
• More than 12,500 volunteer hours clocked for Olympic Closing Ceremony. The thousands of volunteer performers range in age from 10 to 68
• More than 450 racks of costumes, 3,600 metres of elastic, 4,100 pairs of shoes, 18 kilograms of glitter, 10,000 green sequins, 200 giant spheres and balloons, as well as 20 zygote balls were used in the Opening and Closing Ceremonies
• 275 million visitors in total to www.vancouver2010.com, shattering the previous record of 105 million set during the Beijing 2008 Games
• 78 million total unique visitors to the site
• A record of 9,185,306 unique visits in a single day ? set on February 24. The previous record set during the 2008 Summer Games was 8,797,614 on August 11, 2008
• Vancouver2010.com was visited 85 million times this month from within Canada and reached more than 70 per cent of Canadians with Internet access and over 50 per cent of the total Canadian population
• 19.1 per cent of North Americans with Internet access visited the website this month
• 4.6 per cent of people worldwide with Internet access visited the site this month
• 14,000 followers on Twitter.com/2010Tweets
• More than 1.25 million downloads recorded for the official mobile spectator guide, which for 10 days of the Games was the No. 1 free app in Canada
• 1.1 million Facebook fans, nearly four times the total amount for Beijing at the conclusion of the 2008 Games

Vancouver(AFP) – Germany won the women’s speed-skating team pursuit gold medal on Saturday.

Japan took silver with Poland claiming bronze.

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Vancouver (AFP) – Canada won their 13th gold medal of the 2010 Winter Games on Saturday when their undefeated men’s curlers beat Norway 6-3 to seal their second consecutive Olympic crown.

The result left Canada untouchable in the gold medal count, an impressive achievement for a nation coming into these Games having failed to win a single title on home ground at the 1976 Summer Games and the 1988 Winter showpiece.

In a tight battle, Canada, urged on by a passionate capacity home crowd, kept an iron grip on the final early on and were never behind throughout.

Skip Kevin Martin, described the win as “an amazing feeling,” saying all the hard work had been worthwhile.

“We’re very, very happy. It’s a dream come true. It’s a lot of work, a lot of years to get it done,” he said, adding: “The boys sure played well today.”

Reacting to the news that Canada cannot now be caught in the gold medal tally, Martin said: “We need to have more Olympic Games in our country don’t we? Because the crowd is a major factor, when you have that extra player on the field.”

Canada were 3-0 ahead at the break but the Norwegians, wearing their trademark diamond-patterned trousers, scored two points in the sixth end to pull back to within a point.

The host nation re-established their three-point lead in the seventh and although Norway pulled a point back in the eighth, Canada again edged ahead, going into the tenth with a 6-3 lead, leaving them on the brink of the title.

In emotional scenes, the crowd, which included Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Hollywood star Donald Sutherland, burst into an impromptu rendition of the Canadian national anthem before the home team sealed victory by making it impossible for Norway to level the scores.

Martin said hearing “O Canada” being sung was “an amazing feeling. You hold and stop the game and you enjoy it.”

Norway skip Thomas Ulsrud said: “If you give me 10 minutes then I’ll probably be happy with silver. We didn’t put in a good game today and Kevin’s team was great.

“We had a plan coming in, as long as we could keep it tight then we would have a chance. We tried to play defensively and it didn’t work. He came right back at us every time.”

The win is a major tonic for the host nation after their women’s team agonisingly failed to close out victory over defending champions Sweden Friday, leaving skip Cheryl Bernard distraught.

Canada’s men romped through qualifying, winning all nine games, including a narrow 7-6 win over the Norwegians, becoming the first team to stay undefeated in round robin in Olympic curling before beating Sweden in the semi-final.

Martin, silver medallist at the Salt Lake Games in 2002, led the same rink that took gold and silver at the 2008 and 2009 world championships, also featuring Benjamin Herbert, Marc Kennedy and John Morris.

Saturday’s final was a repeat of the 2002 title match, in which Norway took gold.

Earlier, Switzerland gained revenge for their European championship defeat by defeating Sweden 5-4 to take bronze.

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Vancouver (AFP) – Canada is hoping to write its own Hollywood ending Sunday when they clash with the United States in an Olympic hockey final that has all the hallmarks of being a classic.

The highly-anticipated gold medal match will be arguably the biggest international game on Canadian soil since the 1972 Summit Series the hosts played against the Soviet Union.

The entire nation stopped 38 years ago to watch as the countries played eight games, including four matches in Canada before the teams headed overseas for another four games in the Soviet Union where Canada won the series.

Once again the nation has galvanized itself behind its beloved hockey team as Canada carves its way through the Vancouver tournament.

Unlike most of his players, Canadian coach Mike Babcock is old enough to remember the Summit Series and so understands the magnitude of Sunday’s match.

“It is a special, special thing,” said Babcock, who coached the Detroit Red Wings to a Stanley Cup championship in 2008.

“What I know from the teams that I coached that have won championships is that if you win together then you walk together forever.

“You remember those guys because you have done something special. Here is an opportunity of a lifetime and we want to make good on it.”

The win over the Russians in ‘72 was Canada’s Miracle on Ice. Now Canada is hoping to become the first team to win the Olympics on home soil since the Americans thrilling 1980 Lake Placid triumph.

The Americans other Olympic gold medal also came on home soil in 1960 in Squaw Valley where they beat Canada 2-1.

Canada won its first Olympic gold medal in 50 years with a 5-2 win over the USA at the 2002 Salt Lake Games. The same teams met earlier in this tournament in the preliminary round with the Americans coming out on top 5-3.

“It is one game for the gold medal and we owe this team something because they got the better of us in the preliminary round,” said Canadian forward Brenden Morrow.

“They probably have something against us from 2002.

“So there are lots of little things within this game. At the end of the day it is two teams going for a gold medal and pouring their hearts out for it.”

Said Robyn Regehr, who played in the 2006 Turin Olympics for Canada and was asked to try out for the 2010 team, “If the Americans win they will probably make another movie about it so we want to see that doesn’t happen.”

Forward Ryan Getzlaf said the Americans were underdogs to begin with but have improved since they beat Canada a week ago.

“That was a wake-up call for us,” Getzlaf said. “A lot of people ruled (USA) out at the start. They came in and played really hard but we are going to be ready for it.”

Babcock, who lives in Detroit, tells his players to not lose sight of why they are here.

“There are lots of great memories over the years of hockey and winning,” he said.

“The Americans have the Miracle (on Ice). My kids watch that and they think it is great. I don’t think it is that great.

“Sports is a funny thing. You never know when you are going to get this chance again.”

Canadian forward Jonathan Toews said he was going to get ready for Sunday’s game by spending a relaxing evening in the athlete’s village.

“We are going to play the game of our lives,” said Toews of the Chicago Blackhawks. “There is no reason to go crazy mentally and overthink the game. I plan to be ready for the drop of the puck.”

US ready for Canada’s red-hot passion
Even American hockey players cannot wait to see the passionate atmosphere around their Olympic final showdown with Canada on Sunday, and they are going to be the targets of a hockey-mad nation’s wrath.

While some flag-waving US supporters will surely find their way among 18,000 in Canada Hockey Place, it’s the red-clad sea of Canada fans whose screams and yells help create an electric atmosphere in the arena – and beyond.

“The arena? Can you imagine what the streets will be like?” US forward David Backes said. “When you get to hockey in Canada, the passion has a whole other level to go. I expect a wonderful environment.”

US team general manager Brian Burke, who has the same job for the National Hockey League’s Toronto Maple Leafs, sais he loves the intense pressure being in his role for a Canadian NHL club puts on himself and an organization.

“Hockey is not a sport in Canada. It’s a cult. It’s a religion,” Burke said. “Canadians view this as their game.”

That makes the thrill all the more exciting for some US players that have never been in such a situation.

“I don’t think anything can prepare you for that,” US defenceman Ryan Suter said. “It’s going to be a crazy atmosphere and a lot of fun.”

“I can’t wait to go out there on that ice and see what that’s going to be like,” US forward Ryan Callahan said.

US goaltender Ryan Miller, who made 42 saves in a 5-3 US preliminary round victory over Canada last week, has been a calming force for the Americans and takes the same attitude to the crowd that will be taunting him.

“It’s going to be a great atmosphere but it doesn’t change the game,” Miller said. “Skates. Puck. Ice. Hopefully I will lace on my skates the right way.”

Each side tries to claim an underdog role by making the other the favorite.

“You’re going to see a dogfight then,” Backes said. “We expect them to come out even harder than last time. We have to raise our game a notch or two.”

US defenceman Brian Rafalski sees the game as potentially life-changing for his young teammates.

“They have a chance to set a standard for themselves for the rest of their careers,” he said.

Martin Brodeur was the Canadian goaltender for the first US-Canada game but Roberto Luongo will be in the crease for the hosts on Sunday against a US team that has never trailed at Vancouver.

“He’s athletic and long and he takes away the bottom of the net,” Backes said of the biggest game in his career.

“(We need) players in his eyes, rebound goals and when we get those opportunities, get them to the top of the net.

“We have to be able to stifle the storm early even if they get the lead on us. Who stays on their game the longest is going to be key.”

Callahan sees the US key as putting pucks behind Canada’s defence and using team speed to out-chase the hosts while defenceman Ryan Suter is prepared to be patient if Canada comes out hard at the start.

“We have to play our game,” Suter said. “If things don’t go our way, we have to know that it has worked before and stay with it. They are going to come out flying. They will be better. We will have to be better.”

While the Americans come off a 6-1 semi-final rout of Finland, Canada had a tense 3-2 victory over Slovakia that went down to the last second.

“Hopefully Slovakia didn’t wake the sleeping giant,” Backes said.

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Whistler (AFP) – Paralympian Brian McKeever admitted Saturday he was devastated to miss out on Canada’s four-man team for Sunday’s 50km cross-country, the final ski event of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

“The decision’s been made, it’s out of my hands. I respect the decision, but I don’t have to be happy with it,” he said.

The 30-year-old McKeever, who is legally blind and suffers from Stargardt’s disease giving him just 10 percent vision, failed to make the final selection which would have made him the first man to ski in both the Paralympic and Olympic Games.

Canadian cross-country ski coaches met Friday night and opted for Ivan Babikov, Alex Harvey, George Grey and Devon Kershaw, leaving McKeever to put a brave face on the decision.

“Our boys are very fast and they deserve everything they’ve got,” he said.

Canada head coach Inge Braten earlier told the Canadian Press he had to make a professional selection “and choose the guys who are the best for the 50km”.

“Normally, sorry to say, all four are faster than Brian,” he said.

“I think they can fight for a medal, all four of them. And then I have to pick out one who has a medal chance and put in Brian? That’s the situation. I don’t like it.”

McKeever was originally selected after impressing in the Olympic trials, but the performances of Canada’s athletes in the 30km pursuit, when four skiers featured in the top 16, changed Braten’s mind.

McKeever will now compete in cross-country and biathlon events at the Winter Paralympic Games which run from March 12-21.

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